Use the image to answer the question.

An illustration shows a triangular prism. The front triangular face is visible. The right rectangular face is visible. The sides and edges that are not visible are indicated by dashed lines. Parts are labeled with measurements. The left side of the triangle measures 10 centimeters. The right side of the triangle also measures 10 centimeters. The perpendicular height from the top vertex of the triangle to the base measures 6 centimeters. The base of the triangle measures 8 centimeters.

What is the missing length l
of the triangular prism if the surface area is 524 square centimeters?

(1 point)
Responses

8 cm
8 cm

17 cm
17 cm

10 cm
10 cm

16 cm
16 cm
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1 answer

To find the missing length \( l \) of the triangular prism when the surface area is given, we start by finding the surface area of the prism.

  1. Calculate the area of the triangular base: The area \( A \) of a triangle can be calculated using the formula: \[ A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} \] Here, the base of the triangle is \( 8 , \text{cm} \) and the height is \( 6 , \text{cm} \): \[ A = \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times 6 = 24 , \text{cm}^2 \]

  2. Calculate the areas of the three rectangular faces:

    • The bottom rectangular face has dimensions \( 8 , \text{cm} \times l \).
    • The left rectangular face has dimensions \( 10 , \text{cm} \times l \).
    • The right rectangular face also has dimensions \( 10 , \text{cm} \times l \).

    Thus, the areas of the rectangular faces are:

    • Bottom: \( 8l \)
    • Left: \( 10l \)
    • Right: \( 10l \)
  3. Combine the areas to find the total surface area: The total surface area \( S \) of the prism includes the area of the two triangular faces and the three rectangular faces: \[ S = 2 \times \text{(area of triangle)} + \text{(area of bottom rectangle)} + \text{(area of left rectangle)} + \text{(area of right rectangle)} \] \[ S = 2 \times 24 + 8l + 10l + 10l = 48 + 28l \]

  4. Set the total surface area equal to 524 square centimeters: \[ 48 + 28l = 524 \] Now, solve for \( l \): \[ 28l = 524 - 48 \] \[ 28l = 476 \] \[ l = \frac{476}{28} \] \[ l = 17 \text{ cm} \]

Thus, the missing length \( l \) of the triangular prism is 17 cm.